Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo has accused former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi of trying to create political sympathy over a traffic rule violation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after an internal inquiry found that Obi’s vehicle was parked unattended in a restricted drop-off area.
Keyamo on Friday maintained that the findings matter because they show that airport security rules must apply equally to everyone, including politicians seeking the country’s highest office.
The issue started after Obi alleged that officials unfairly clamped the tyres of his vehicle and linked the action to a campaign of persecution by the Federal Government.
Keyamo said he ordered an internal inquiry to establish what happened because every Nigerian deserves fair treatment and the allegation involved airport security personnel carrying out official duties.
Keyamo said CCTV footage from the airport showed that Obi arrived at the domestic terminal on Saturday, 4 July, at about 8:28 p.m. in a vehicle driven by a police officer. After Obi entered the terminal with two other occupants, the driver parked the vehicle in the drop-off zone and also left it unattended.
He said airport rules permit only brief stopping in the area, and only if the driver stays inside the vehicle. The inquiry found that the police officer returned briefly to collect an item before leaving the vehicle again.
Keyamo said airport security officers clamped the tyres only after the vehicle had been left unattended. He argued that the officers could not have known the vehicle belonged to Obi because nobody was inside it when they carried out the enforcement action.
The minister noted that the vehicle stayed unattended for about 30 minutes in a prohibited area, calling it a security risk under international airport safety standards.
He also said the inquiry found that after the driver discovered the tyres had been clamped, he contacted Obi by telephone. Keyamo said Obi spoke with the airport manager and requested the vehicle’s release, after which it was released without payment of the prescribed N25,000 parking fine.
Based on the inquiry, Keyamo rejected Obi’s claim that he was singled out because he is an opposition figure.
He said in a post on X:
“What has emerged from this is a clear case of an opposition candidate trying to whip up unnecessary sentiments for a wrong he committed with his driver.”
Keyamo also dismissed Obi’s claim that other vehicles committed similar offences on the same day, calling that claim false. He argued that anyone seeking the office of President should set an example by obeying the law instead of using political status to challenge routine enforcement.
He said the matter had already ended at the airport until Obi publicly presented it as evidence of political persecution. He said that narrative unfairly portrayed airport workers who were carrying out their lawful duties.
For that reason, Keyamo asked Obi to publicly apologise to airport staff and return to pay the N25,000 fine for the parking violation. He said the request is based on the principle that everyone should face the same legal standards, regardless of political position.
Keyamo warned that if Obi does not meet the demands within one week, he will direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to begin further action.
The dispute has shifted attention from the original complaint about the clamping of the vehicle to the issue of whether public office seekers should accept responsibility when they or those acting on their behalf break established rules.